Syria crisis: US intervention 'limited and proportional' - Obama

US Congress has begun its hearings on the case for intervention in Syria, with President Barack Obama seeking to persuade politicians and American citizens of the need for a military response to the suspected chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of Damascus on 21 August.

The US has put the death toll from the attack at 1,429, including 426 children, though other countries and organisations have given lower figures.

President Obama has been speaking about possible US military action against Syria and said he was confident Congress would approve military strikes when it reconvenes.

He said: "This is a limited, proportional step that will send a clear message."